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BA from Haverford College

Theater

Education

BA from Haverford College (Theater)

About Anna

My teaching Approach:I believe that the best learning happens when students are able to connect what they're studying to personal interests. Like the progressive educator Charles Pierce, I believe that curiosity is the natural motor for discovery and retention in all aspects of life, and learning is all about figuring out how to capture and direct the impulse of curiosity in the right ways.

As a tutor, I try to individually tailor my methods to each student's particular strengths and interests, regardless of the subject, in an attempt to make learning as natural and enjoyable as possible. I believe that self-generated, hands-on and applied learning is the most effective kind, and, though it is different with every student, I encourage this approach as much as possible. Whether your needs are in Calculus, SAT prep, German or the Viola, I would be happy and excited to develop and enact a tutoring strategy that is specifically designed to help you meet your personal goals.

My tutoring methods and policies:I like to come up with activities and games that strengthen the student's memory and comprehension while making learning accessible, natural and enjoyable. I assign projects and homework, but I try very hard to make sure these assignments are natural extensions of the student's work and interest as part of my mission to deemphasize external assessment and evaluation in favor of promoting internal motivation and maintaining a positive environment.

I very much encourage parent and student input as a valuable part of my tutoring process, and both are always free to text or call me with any comments or concerns.

I typically tutor out of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, although I am open to other possibilities as well, if deemed appropriate. This is an arrangement I am willing to work out individually with each client.

My own educational background:After having graduated from two of the most highly-ranked liberal arts colleges in the country (Swarthmore often ranked number 3 and Haverford often number 8) within the top 10% of my class, I feel uniquely prepared to tutor a very wide range of subjects. Though my major was in Theater (Acting and Directing), my minor in Film and my concentration in Gender Studies, I also have a keen interest in Math and Chemistry and took a good number of challenging courses outside of my major while in college, including Advanced Calculus II, Psychology, several advanced independent studies in Chemistry, and an advanced Chemistry course at Germany's acclaimed Humboldt University of Berlin. I spent about 6 months as an exchange student in Germany, and am fluent in that language.

AP/SAT/GRE testing:As a High School student, I myself scored 5's on the AP Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, and US Government exams, a perfect 800 on the Math section of the SAT's as well as two near-perfect scores in Reading and Writing, and so am familiar with the format of these tests and understand the kind of studying required to achieve a score that reflects the student's fullest potential. I also graduated as salutatorian of my High School with a 4.0 that reflected advanced courses in all core subjects, making me prepared to tackle the kind of subject variety demanded by the GRE's.

Past Experience:I have had 2 years of experience as a day camp counselor working with children ages 6-12, and have functioned as an acting teacher for several students that I have directed in theater projects. I have also given German lessons to several fellow students while in college. I also feel that my experience as a theater director (having directed 6 shows to date) has given me the tools needed to lead and teach others in an effective and engaging manner.

My musical credentials:I have been studying and playing the viola for almost 14 years. Most recently, I participated in both Haverford's and Swarthmore's Chamber Music programs and performed as principal violist in the Haverford/Bryn Mawr Bi-College Orchestra. I have also successfully auditioned into the Humboldt Philharmonic and have performed with the Hershey Symphony. As a High School student, I auditioned into Allegretto, Lancaster's youth chamber orchestra, as well as the District 7 Orchestra 3 years in a row.My teaching Approach:I believe that the best learning happens when students are able to connect what they're studying to personal interests. Like the progressive educator Charles Pierce, I believe that curiosity is the natural motor for discovery and retention in all aspects of life, and learning is all about figuring out how to capture and…Read more

Policies

Cancellation

Travel Radius

"German for Business Professionals"

- Vince, East Greenville, PA on 3/29/16

I have a very busy schedule and Anna gave me the perfect amount of homework to allow time for in-depth review and practice.

Additionally, I use Rosetta Stone and other German language training courses, and NONE OF THEM provide anything near the "connect the dots" methodology that Anna offers in her training! Finally I found my answer and I wish I'd done this a long time ago. Can't wait for my next lesson.

"Very Encouraging"

- Lisa, Bethlehem, PA on 9/24/15

Anna helped my daughter with SAT skills. She hasn't taken the test yet but I wanted to comment on how great Anna was with her. She was very encouraging and gave my daughter confidence to tackle the SAT. e will call Anna for help with her regular subjects as well, if we find that she needs it.

"Helpful, informative, smart, and nice tutor."

- Bill, Northampton, PA on 8/20/15

Anna is working on the SAT essay with me. She is very easy to talk to and is very informative. We have been working on grammar skills and how to write an effective essay.

"She is wonderful with Nicole."

- Ana, Bethlehem, PA on 8/7/15

She is patient and takes time to help me understand the material without making me feel inadequate about it. I really feel like I can learn a lot with her.

Approved subjects

In most cases, tutors gain approval in a subject by passing a proficiency exam. For some subject areas, like music and art, tutors submit written requests to demonstrate their proficiency to potential students. If a tutor is interested but not yet approved in a subject, the subject will appear in non-bold font. Tutors need to be approved in a subject prior to beginning lessons.

English

I am a graduate of Haverford College with a degree in Theater from Swarthmore College. Though English and Theater are different subjects, both share the common thread of literary analysis, and I feel that my major has equipped me with very strong reading and writing skills that can easily apply to English. Furthermore, my love of Theater stems directly from my love of English literature, and it is a subject I am delighted to teach whenever I have the opportunity.

Public Speaking

Though I have experience studying approaches and tactics specifically designed for public speaking, my own approach draws on a wider (and I think more rich) background. As a Theater major who studied acting and directing, I have accumulated an extensive knowledge of a wide range of techniques designed to help actors with their performances. It is my belief that some of these acting techniques are directly applicable to public speaking, and in fact can help provide key public speaking skills that I think are often missing or weakly-developed in a more standard public speaking curriculum. The ideal approach (and the one that I attempt to provide) is a combination of classic public speaking tips, exercises borrowed from performance preparation, and most importantly, practice, practice, practice!

SAT Math

Having not too long ago undergone the process of SAT-studying and test-taking myself, the details are still fresh in my mind. In the subject of math, I received a perfect 800 score on my own SAT test, so I am very familiar with the skills and tactics needed to approach the test well. I prefer to work with the most recent publications of SAT prep books as a way of staying on top of the testing format and the most effective SAT testing tactics.

SAT Reading

Having not too long ago undergone the process of SAT-studying and test-taking myself, the details are still fresh in my mind. In the subject of reading, I received a near-perfect score on my own SAT test, so I am very familiar with the skills and tactics needed to approach the test well. I prefer to work with the most recent publications of SAT prep books as a way of staying on top of the testing format and the most effective SAT testing tactics.

SAT Writing

Having not too long ago undergone the process of SAT-studying and test-taking myself, the details are still fresh in my mind. In the subject of writing, I received a near-perfect score on my own SAT test, so I am very familiar with the skills and tactics needed to approach the test well. I prefer to work with the most recent publications of SAT prep books as a way of staying on top of the testing format and the most effective SAT testing tactics. My SAT Writing tutoring consists of tips for approaching both the multiple choice section and the essay section, as well as work directly from the Collegeboard study guide. I am a believer in the idea that practice makes perfect, and I ask my students to complete work outside of our tutoring sessions in order to deepen their knowledge of and familiarity with the topic.

Theatre

As a recent Theater major graduate, I am very well-versed in theater history, theory and practice. My two concentrations (for which I did 2 thesis projects) were acting and directing. As a director (having directed 6 shows so far) and founder of my own college theater club, I have ample experience leading others in rehearsals, workshops and acting lessons. I also have adequate experience as an actor, having trained using primarily Stanislavsky's, Lecoq's and Bogart's methods.

Violin

I have been playing the viola for almost 14 years now, which has involved learning skills (such as reading treble clef) that are also transferrable to the violin, and I have no difficulty playing either. I recently participated in both Haverford's and Swarthmore's Chamber Ensemble programs and was first chair viola in the Haverford/Bryn Mawr College Orchestra. I went to Districts on the viola for 3 years in a row in high school, participated in Allegretto (Lancaster's Youth Chamber Orchestra) and played with the Hershey Symphony.

Writing

I am a graduate of Haverford College with a degree in theater from Swarthmore College. Both my college and my major emphasized strong writing skills, and during my time there, I not only improved my own writing, but I also had the opportunity in seminars to read and edit the papers of other students. I am therefore well prepared to help others shape their own writing skills and improve their papers.

BA from Haverford College

Theater

Education

BA from Haverford College (Theater)

German for Business Professionals —
I have a very busy schedule and Anna gave me the perfect amount of homework to allow time for in-depth review and practice. Additionally, I use Rosetta Stone and other German language training courses, and NONE OF THEM provide anything near the "connect the dots" methodology that Anna offers in her training! Finally I found my answer and I wish I'd done this a long time ago. Can't wait for my nex
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